Mikdad, OPCW Director stress need to enhance cooperation in service of OPCW member states’ interests

The Hague, Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Fayssal Mikdad, and Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Fernando Arias, discussed bilateral cooperation between Syria and the Organization.

The talks were held on the sidelines of the 23th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in The Hague.

Mikdad congratulated Arias on his election as the new Director General of the organization, stressing Syria’s readiness to continue cooperation with him in order to implement the provisions of the Convention.

He stressed that Syria willingly eliminated its chemical weapons in a record time and under very difficult circumstances, adding that the OPCW verified the completion of this measure.

Mikdad indicated that Syria did not use those weapons, rather terrorists used them with the aim of accusing the Syrian state and provoking the aggressor states to attack it.

He underlined the need to respect national interests of all member states and enhance cooperation with the organization in a way that serves these interests and fulfill the organization’s goals.

For his part, Arias stressed that the organization should be neutral and independent, adding that the membership of Syria constitutes a step forward in order to achieve its goals.

He also welcomed Syria’s cooperation, adding that he looks forward to further enhance this cooperation in the next stage.

The Hague, Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Fayssal Mikdad, and Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Fernando Arias, discussed bilateral cooperation between Syria and the Organization.The talks were held on the sidelines of the 23th session of the Conference of the States Parties to...